Matches

BLUES BOUNCE BACK by Carol Smith-Allen

Grays came into this match against Sutton United determined to put the disappointment of losing at home to Basingstoke on Saturday behind them. Sutton’s plight (they are currently floundering near the bottom on the table), was not helped by the 5-1 thrashing handed out at the Rec last night.

Blues started as they meant to go on, pushing forward with Cole, Griffiths and Eastwood all testing the U’s defence. Then on 22 minutes Grays got the goal they so richly deserved on, when having won the ball on the edge of the penalty area Freddy Eastwood slipped it to the unmarked Mitchell Cole who slotted into the far corner.

Minutes later Sutton responded; a defensive error by Blues allowed Matt Gray’s pass to reach Craig Watkins, who sent his low drive past Carl Emberson, bringing his tally to five goals in six games.

Blues continued to dominate play, with chances by Cole, Griffiths and Brennan all being squandered, and just when it looked like U’s would get to the interval on level terms a neat move by Griffiths set-up Martin Carthy, whose powerful shot easily evaded Sutton keeper Phil Wilson.

The second half started with Blues well and truly on top, and saw scoring opportunities for Brennan and Powell go wide, and John Nutter’s 20 yard drive produced an impressive save by Wilson.

Any hope Sutton had of getting an equaliser was short-lived. On 68 minutes as Griffiths attempted to beat Wilson to the ball in the box, he was brought down by Peter Fear, and the referee showed no hesitation in awarding Blues a penalty. With Freddy Eastwood having been replaced by Vill Powell on 56 minutes, Stuart Thurgood took the spot kick, sending Wilson the wrong way to score Blues third goal of the match.

Almost immediately, Blues could have increased their lead, when Cole sped past John Scarborough and put in an inch perfect cross for Powell, whose shot went badly wide.

In the 76 minute Sutton had their last chance of the match when Watkins got on the end of Gray’s low cross, but Emberson was out quickly to block the effort.

From then on in it was a case of damage limitation for U’s as Blues laid siege to their goal, and with their defence looking decidedly shaky it was only a matter of time before Grays got their fourth. With four minutes remaining Griffiths got on the end of Stuart Thurgood’s cross, and volleyed emphatically past Wilson.

As the final whistle approached the inform Griffiths turned Nutter’s chip in at the far post, to give Grays their fifth goal of the evening.

A happy Mark Stimson said ‘ Last nights performance was excellent and we thoroughly deserved the win. In particular there were great performances by Griffiths, Brennan, Thurgood and Cole.’

Teams:-
Grays Athletic:- Emberson, Bruce, Nutter, Robinson, Wild, Thurgood, Brennan, Carthy (c), Eastwood, Griffiths, Cole Subs:- Bradshaw (for Cole 80 mins), Overland, Hooper, Olayinka, Powell (for Eastwood 56
mins)

Sutton United:- Wilson, Gray, Gonsalves, Corbett (c), Scarborough, Booth, Fear, Brake, Vansittart, Watkins, Akoumoah Subs:- Martin, Arkali, Oluesi

Referee:- Mr. J. Lodge

Attendance:- 349

Your comments

where did thet penalty come from the ref was blind.
you wait until you come to our place for a thrashing.

i think grays played well against sutton utd i didnt agree with the long ball it was my first time to see the new squad but my favourite 4 players were leroy griffiths mitchell cole stuart thurgood steve robinson but the one player who i think could be a star is freddie eastwood i cant wait to see them again and hope they play like that again

When we come to your place Antony we will double our score

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